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So, I first had the pleasure of meeting Eratosthenes, or Tos as we call him, in October of last year. I went up to Seattle for the CD release show for my friends Lower Lights Burning at Columbia City Theatre (love that space) and spent the weekend tagging along for all of their festivities. On Sunday of that weekend, Graydon and Amanda took me to Ballard, where theres a cool open mic at Conor Byrne Pub. Tos met us there and we walked down to the water and filmed my first “Ballard Session”.

The first thing you’ll notice about Tos is his wonderful hair. Never have i known a man with such a voluminous mane of hair, and I’m willing to bet you haven’t either. Its amazing. BUT. Thats not why we’re here. What you’ll soon learn after any interaction with him, is that he is such a sweet, open spirit. He creates these beautiful videos that capture artists in their element, and he does them so so well. I recently had the pleasure of hosting Tos here in Nashville during one of the hottest and most humid weeks in Tennessee history, which he was SUCH a trooper about. I filled our days trying to fit in as much Nashville stuff as possible, Historic Franklin, Kimbro’s Pickin’ Parlor, Puckett’s Grocery, The Full Moon Pickin’ Party, as well as all the trespassing we did to film “Ballard Sessions” with as many people as we could fit in. He went along for it all, and I am so grateful for the conversations we had and the adventures we went on.

Tos, your art is a beautiful gift, and I’m so grateful for you, and to get to share what you do with everyone I know. Thank you for the gift of you! Love you!

I heard of Nathan before I knew who he was. He’s had a shoe-gazey hip-hop project for a number of years called Spoken Nerd based out of Nashville, TN. Nathan has had a great influence and impact in the hip-hop and indie music community here in Nashville and is an all around great guy. I first met him a couple years ago when he became roommates with Ian Lincoln, who I was starting to play music with and befriend at the time. I was intimidated by Nathan for so long, because he’s HILARIOUS, and I wanted him to think I was funny, too, but that made me think too much so I hardly talked the first few times I was around him.

This past winter, I caught wind of Nathan and Ian planning a month-long tour for May of this year, and since I sing with Ian in the project Beards, I asked Nathan if I could tag along. He said I could if I learned his songs and performed with Spoken Nerd as well, so I did just that! Not only is Nathan one of the greatest entertainers/ performers/ comedians I’ve had the pleasure to know, but he is SO generous with the knowledge he’s acquired in his years of making great music. I was able to learn so much about touring as an independent artist, and meet a ton of wonderful people, and see more of the country than i’d ever seen. I was able to ride along with out the stress of planning the whole thing, and just watch and learn from him and other musicians we met, and learn a lot about myself and how I want to proceed with my own music career. It was definitely a shifting point for me in perspective and of course an eye-opening experience. Every time I get to travel somewhere new there’s the opportunity to learn and grow- and for this most recent experience I am SO grateful to Nathan for having me along.

I first met Ian when I worked at Boscos Brewery and Restaurant in Nashville, TN. My friend April introduced us because they were forming a punk band called Edamame and needed someone to sing. When we got together for our first “practice”, Ian and i just ended up trading our folk songs and we instantly became friends. He is a talented writer and musician, among many other talents… like being HILARIOUS. Two and a half years later and we’ve put together a project called Beards, and recorded and released an album under that name. We also went on a road trip last year- marking the first time either of us had been further west than the Mississippi River. Ian is the brains behind the operation Hot Lullaby, ( http://www.hotlullaby.com ) and is just a real great guy to have around.

I love you, Ian! Thanks for the gift of you!

To listen/ download your own copy of Beards debut release, We Grow Old go ova here: